Which of the following features is not characteristic of the Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization)?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
Use of iron tools for agriculture.
Explanation
The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization) was a Bronze Age civilization. The people of this era were skilled in the use of copper and bronze but did not have knowledge of iron. The use of iron in the Indian subcontinent began much later, toward the end of the Vedic period (around 1000 BCE). The other options—well-planned urban centers with grid patterns, advanced drainage systems, and the presence of a Great Bath and granaries—are all hallmark features of the Harappan Civilization.
Key Points
The Harappan Civilization is world-renowned for its urban architecture and engineering. The planning of streets on a grid pattern, the extensive use of baked bricks, and the covered drainage systems demonstrate the advanced technical capabilities of that time. Granaries were built for the storage of agricultural surplus, indicating a well-organized administrative system.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: Which metal was most commonly used by the people of the Indus Valley Civilization?
Answer: The people of the Indus Valley Civilization primarily used copper and bronze.
Question: What was the main feature of the Harappan drainage system?
Answer: The main feature was that wastewater from houses flowed through small drains into larger street drains, which were covered with stone or bricks, reflecting their high level of awareness regarding sanitation.